RRB NTPC Practice Test (General Awareness) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The state of Andhra Pradesh was established on ____________.
- October 12, 1958
- November 1, 1956 (Correct answer)
- November 21, 1958
- October 11, 1956
Correct answer: November 1, 1956
The state of Andhra Pradesh was established on November 1, 1956, as a result of the States Reorganisation Act. This act reorganized Indian states primarily along linguistic lines. Andhra Pradesh was formed by merging the Telugu-speaking areas of the former Hyderabad State with the existing Andhra State.
Question 2: Which state government passed the DISHA Act-2019?
- Andhra Pradesh (Correct answer)
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Kerala
Correct answer: Andhra Pradesh
The DISHA Act-2019, officially known as the Andhra Pradesh Disha (Special Courts for Specified Offences against Women and Children) Act, 2019, was passed by the Andhra Pradesh state government. This landmark legislation was enacted to ensure speedy investigation and trial of cases involving specified offenses against women and children, aiming for quicker justice delivery.
Question 3: Who is India's 47th Chief Justice?
- Dipak Misra
- R. M. Lodha
- Sharad Arvind Bobde (Correct answer)
- Ranjan Gogoi
Correct answer: Sharad Arvind Bobde
Sharad Arvind Bobde served as the 47th Chief Justice of India. He held this prestigious office from November 18, 2019, until April 23, 2021. His tenure saw several important judicial pronouncements and administrative decisions within the Indian legal system.
Question 4: Who wrote the novel "The Blue Umbrella"?
- Ruskin Bond (Correct answer)
- Shashi Tharoor
- Salman Rushdie
- Vikram Seth
Correct answer: Ruskin Bond
Ruskin Bond is the acclaimed author of the novel 'The Blue Umbrella.' Published in 1980, this heartwarming novella tells the story of a young girl named Binya and her treasured blue umbrella in a small Himalayan village. Bond is renowned for his simple yet profound storytelling, often set in the Indian hills.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of an E-Commerce company?
- Flipkart (Correct answer)
- Adobe
Correct answer: Flipkart
Flipkart is a prominent Indian e-commerce company that operates an online marketplace, selling a wide variety of products directly to consumers. E-commerce companies facilitate commercial transactions over the internet, enabling digital buying and selling of goods and services. Google, Adobe, and Facebook primarily offer search, software, and social media services, respectively.
Question 6: In India, which of the following rivers is known as Dihang?
- Myntdu
- Brahmaputra (Correct answer)
- Barak River
- Kaladan
Correct answer: Brahmaputra
The Brahmaputra River is known as Dihang (or Siang) when it first enters India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It flows through this region before merging with other tributaries and continuing its course through Assam and Bangladesh. Dihang is the local name for this significant river in its upper reaches within India.
Question 7: Which of the following articles empowers the Election Commission to conduct all parliamentary and state legislature elections?
- Article 332
- Article 329
- Article 324 (Correct answer)
- Article 326
Correct answer: Article 324
Article 324 of the Indian Constitution grants the Election Commission of India the power to superintend, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every State. This article establishes the Election Commission as an independent constitutional body crucial for ensuring free and fair democratic elections.
Question 8: How many medals did India win at the 2018 Winter Olympics?
- 4
- 1
- 2
- None (Correct answer)
Correct answer: None
India did not secure any medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics, which took place in PyeongChang, South Korea. Despite sending a small contingent of athletes, they were unable to achieve a podium finish in any of the events. This outcome reflects the ongoing challenges for India in competing in winter sports on the international stage.
Question 9: Which of the following gases is the second most abundant in the atmosphere?
- Oxygen (Correct answer)
- Neon
- Hydrogen
- Nitrogen
Correct answer: Oxygen
Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, comprising approximately 78%. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, making up about 21% of the atmosphere. These two gases collectively form the vast majority of the air we breathe, with other gases like argon and carbon dioxide present in much smaller quantities.
Question 10: Pushyamitra Sung assassinated which of the following rulers?
- Kanishka
- Rajendra Chola I
- Kalashoka
- Brihadratha (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Brihadratha
Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga dynasty, assassinated Brihadratha, the last ruler of the Mauryan dynasty, around 185 BCE. This act marked a significant turning point in ancient Indian history, bringing an end to the Mauryan Empire and ushering in the rule of the Shunga dynasty.
Question 11: Who is in charge of the GST Council?
- Finance Minister (Correct answer)
- Finance Secretary
- RBI Governor
- Prime Minister
Correct answer: Finance Minister
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which is the governing body for GST in India, is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. The Council is responsible for making recommendations to both the Union and State Governments on various issues related to GST. The Finance Minister's leadership ensures coordinated policy-making between central and state authorities.
Question 12: In what year was Guru Nanak born in Talwandi?
- 1479
- 1466
- 1469 (Correct answer)
- 1473
Correct answer: 1469
Guru Nanak Dev, the revered founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, was born in the year 1469. His birthplace was Talwandi Rai Bhoi, now known as Nankana Sahib, located in present-day Pakistan. This birth year is a foundational date in the history and development of the Sikh faith.
Question 13: Article 21A of the Indian Constitution refers to which of the following Acts?
- Representation of the People
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Right to Education (Correct answer)
- Right to Information
Correct answer: Right to Education
Article 21A of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Education, mandating that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of six and fourteen years. This article was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002, elevating elementary education to a fundamental right for all Indian children.
Question 14: Article 368 is related to
- Centre State Relations
- Constitutional amendment (Correct answer)
- Supreme Court's composition
- None of the above
Correct answer: Constitutional amendment
Article 368 of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and outlines the procedure for doing so. It details the various methods required for constitutional amendments, which can range from a special majority in Parliament to, in some cases, ratification by state legislatures. This article is vital for the Constitution's adaptability.
Question 15: The Delhi Parliament House was built during
- 1921-1927 (Correct answer)
- 1930-1935
- 1904-1909
- 1892-1900
Correct answer: 1921-1927
The iconic Parliament House in Delhi, also known as Sansad Bhavan, was constructed between 1921 and 1927. Designed by British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, this building served as the seat of the Imperial Legislative Council and later became the Parliament of India, symbolizing the nation's democratic governance.
Question 16: The Chief Election Commissioner of India may be removed from office by
- President of India
- Both houses of Parliament (Correct answer)
- India's Chief Justice
- Union council of Ministers
Correct answer: Both houses of Parliament
The Chief Election Commissioner of India can only be removed from office through a rigorous process, similar to that for a Supreme Court judge. This requires a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a special majority, meaning two-thirds of members present and voting, and a majority of the total membership of the House. This stringent procedure safeguards the Election Commission's independence.
Question 17: What is the meaning of "Satyameva Jayate"?
- Truth is Divine
- True Faith is Rare
- Truth is a Treasure
- Truth alone triumphs (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Truth alone triumphs
'Satyameva Jayate' is a Sanskrit mantra derived from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad, which translates to 'Truth alone triumphs.' This profound phrase serves as the national motto of India and is prominently inscribed at the base of the national emblem. It embodies the nation's commitment to upholding truth and righteousness.
Question 18: In which of the following cases does the Parliament use a special majority?
- Acquisition and Termination of Citizenship (Correct answer)
- Removal of Vice President
- For Removal of Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Legislative Council
- For removing Speaker & Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: Acquisition and Termination of Citizenship
The Parliament uses a special majority for certain critical legislative matters, including the acquisition and termination of citizenship. While some aspects of citizenship can be regulated by ordinary law, fundamental changes or specific provisions often require a special majority to ensure broad consensus and constitutional integrity. Other options like removal of Vice President or Speakers involve different procedural majorities.
Question 19: What does it mean to have a “bicameral legislature”?
- The legislature is divided into two separate assemblies. (Correct answer)
- The legislature is divided into eight separate assemblies.
- Legislators are grouped into a single assembly.
- The legislature is divided into four separate assemblies.
Correct answer: The legislature is divided into two separate assemblies.
A bicameral legislature refers to a governmental body that is divided into two separate legislative houses or assemblies. This structure is common in many democratic nations, such as India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the United States (House of Representatives and Senate). The two chambers often provide a system of checks and balances, allowing for more thorough deliberation and diverse representation.
Question 20: Which of the following is an example of a constitutional body?
- NITI Aayog
- Finance Commission (Correct answer)
- National Development Council
- None of the above
Correct answer: Finance Commission
The Finance Commission is a constitutional body in India, established under Article 280 of the Constitution. Its primary role is to define the financial relationship and distribution of tax revenues between the central government and individual state governments. In contrast, bodies like NITI Aayog and the National Development Council are statutory or executive bodies, not directly created by the Constitution.
Question 21: Which of the following colors has the lowest frequency?
- Violet
- Blue
- Green
- Red (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Red
In the visible light spectrum, colors are ordered by their wavelength and frequency. Red light possesses the longest wavelength and, consequently, the lowest frequency among all visible colors. Conversely, violet light has the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency, demonstrating the inverse relationship between these two properties of light.
Question 22: Which of the following was Alexander Fleming's first antibiotic discovery in 1928?
- Streptomycin
- Penicillin (Correct answer)
- Tetracycline
- Prontosil
Correct answer: Penicillin
Alexander Fleming famously discovered penicillin in 1928 when he observed that a mold, Penicillium notatum, inhibited the growth of bacteria in a petri dish. This accidental discovery marked the beginning of the antibiotic era, revolutionizing medicine and saving countless lives. Penicillin was the first true antibiotic to be widely used.
Question 23: In 1981, ISRO launched India's first geostationary satellite, named
- APPLE (Correct answer)
- Bhaskara II
- INSAT lB
- Aryabhata
Correct answer: APPLE
APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment) was India's first experimental geostationary communication satellite. Launched by ISRO in 1981 using the Ariane-1 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana, it was a significant milestone in India's space program. This satellite demonstrated India's capabilities in designing, building, and operating geostationary satellites for communication purposes.
Question 24: What was the name of the first President of the Indian National Congress?
- Allan Octavian Hume
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee (Correct answer)
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Correct answer: Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee
Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee was a prominent Indian barrister and the first President of the Indian National Congress. He presided over the inaugural session of the Congress held in Bombay in December 1885. His leadership was crucial in establishing the foundational principles and objectives of this pivotal political organization.
Question 25: The Hornbill Festival is held in
- Odisha
- West Bengal
- Nagaland (Correct answer)
- Arunachal Pradesh
Correct answer: Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is a vibrant annual celebration held in Nagaland, India, typically in the first week of December. It showcases the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Naga tribes through music, dance, crafts, and food. The festival is named after the hornbill bird, which is revered by the Naga people.
RRB NTPC Practice Test (General Awareness)
The state of Andhra Pradesh was established on ____________.